Southbridge man accused of Craigslist scam

A 40-year-old man allegedly accepted money for rooms he had advertised for rent on Craigslist, but never held up his end of the bargain and left a victim forced to live in her car, police said.

Jeffrey D. Trifone, of 141 Charlton St., Apt. 1L, was ordered held on $10,000 bail Wednesday in Dudley District Court on seven counts of larceny under $250 by false pretenses, and larceny under $250. The charges are for four cases. A judge set bail at $2,500 for each case.

On Jan. 16, a male victim contacted Mr. Trifone, whose lengthy criminal record includes open larceny cases, in response to an advertisement for a room for rent for $50 per week, a police report said.

After meeting in person, Mr. Trifone agreed to rent the room, and the victim gave him a $50 cash deposit, police said.

Mr. Trifone told him the key would not work for a few days because the landlord needed to change the locks, police said.

Mr. Trifone allegedly contacted the renter the next day asking for another $60 for an advance in rent.

He again assured the renter he would have access to the apartment shortly after the landlord changed the locks, the victim told police.

The victim reported making several attempts to gain access, but Mr. Trifone made excuses and refused to allow him to move in.

On the man’s final attempt, a woman at the apartment told him Mr. Trifone was in jail.

She allegedly added that Mr. Trifone constantly lied, could not be trusted and said there was no room for rent.

Officer Brian Haggerty told the man there was no probable cause at that time because of Mr. Trifone’s incarceration. The officer said he would revisit the complaint after Mr. Trifone returned home.

Later, Sgt. Gerald Arvelo informed Officer Haggerty about several open cases involving Mr. Trifone. After reading the reports it was clear Mr. Trifone had been taking money from people with promises to rent different locations on Charlton Street, police said.

On Jan. 30, Officer Stephen A. Buffone met with a woman about an apartment she wanted to rent at 141 Charlton St.

The woman, who began exchanging text messages with Mr. Trifone on Jan. 21, had given him $130.

He allegedly texted her excuses about why she could not move in right away.

After she texted him on Jan. 25, Mr. Trifone did not respond again, the report said.

On Jan. 24 Officer Jesus Rosa, Jr., met with another alleged victim about the same apartment.

The week before, the victim went to the apartment and met a man named Jeff, who agreed to rent him the room, police said.

The man gave Mr. Trifone $150 for three weeks’ rent, but when he tried to move in on Jan. 22, a woman there told him he could not because her husband was in jail.

The victim thought this was odd and he went to police to get help identifying the leaser, who had only written Jeff on his receipt, police said.

The other case involves Mr. Trifone allegedly writing a bad check for $68.61 from a frozen or blocked account to Carquest Auto Parts on South Street last month, police said.